Tadoba Tiger Reserve is home to some of the most iconic big cats in the country. Many a Tiger in this pristine forest has enthralled the world with its grace and panache. But few come close to Matkasur Tiger. 

This massive male tiger once ruled over vast habitats of prime forest inside Tadoba’s core, mating with the iconic ‘Maya Tigress’ amongst other females. 

But in a land that has over a 100 tigers, what is it about Matkasur that keeps his aura going, even after he has long disappeared from the public eye? Today we will delve deep into the backstory behind this amazing big cat and try to unravel the mystique that surrounds his legacy. 

Matkasur Tiger – The History 

Matkasur’s entry into Tadoba Tiger Reserve remains a mystery to some. There are claims that he’s not one of the descendents of the Tadoba Tigers. Sanjeev Siva, an avid wildlife photographer, who’s closely documented the Tigers of Tadoba, claims that he first spotted Matkasur in 2015.

The Tiger was already in his prime, around 4 years of age. But the part of the world that he had just chosen to venture into, to make a home, was nothing short of a battlefields with formidable and fierce opponents. 

Matkasur entered the Moharli core zone of Tadoba National Park, in the pandarpauni area, which was ruled by massive males like Gabbar, Saturn and Katezhari. 

But this young tiger was as sly, as he was strong. He chose to lurk and avoid a direct confrontation until the time was ripe. 

When it finally was, he promptly drove out the seemingly-invincible Gabbar. The other two males, Saturn and Katezhari, just left the area on their own. It is possible that they didnt want to have a direct conflict with his powerful young male. 

Establishing his Turf and Females

Come 2015, Matkasur would become a common sight for tourists and photographers visiting Tadoba. They’d frequently come across this massive male tiger doing the rounds and marking his freshly acquired kingdom.

But with the arrival of the new male, the status quo was upset big time. Maya (Tigress T-12), the reigning queen had just given birth to three cubs, the father being the ousted male, Saturn. 

With Matkasur on the prowl to establish his kingdom, Maya immediately took the cubs into hiding. This tigress was one of the most intelligent ones in the wild, known for her amazing acumen. She knew when to go into hiding, when to mock-mate with intruders and wandering males, and when to fight. 

She had successfully raised cubs in this part of Tadoba that was a constant battleground amongst male tigers. But sometime in 2016, the game of hide and seek ended. 

Maya had to encounter Matkasur and she surrendered. Subsequently, the dominant male killed two of the cubs, leaving her with only one surviving cub. 

The new law had been established. The new king had arrived. Maya had no choice but to mate with Matkasur eventually. 

But Maya, the shrewd mother that she was, cared for the surviving cub until he reached sub-adulthood. Often in hiding, the cub would wait for the mother to arrive. As expected, the cub decided to challenge the intruder for control of the area. 

A fight ensued. But Matkasur was too experienced for the young tiger. He left the area, a day after the fight. 

Matkasur and Maya were spotted mating in early 2017, giving birth to two cubs, Surya and Meera. A year earlier, Matkasur had mated with Chhoti Tara, also siring two cubs, Chhota Matka and Tarachand.

Matkasur’s Prime Days in Tadoba

In his prime, Matkasur commanded control over some of the best areas inside Tadoba.

Matkasur’s territory encompassed the North Prime zone, a sanctuary of lush green grasslands, and the picturesque Pandharpauni Lake. This idyllic landscape provides abundant prey and abundant water sources, making it an ideal habitat for Matkasur and his family.

• Lush green grasslands: Matkasur roamed among the emerald green meadows, stealthily stalking his prey and marking his dominance.
• Pandharpauni Lake: The serene waters of Pandharpauni Lake which is now accessible from Kolara gate was the perfect backdrop for the tiger to thrive. 

Within his territory, Matkasur would be seen frequently patrolling the area with Maya and her cubs. 

The Controversy – Is Matkasur a Maneater?

 Tadoba Tiger Reserve is one of the few parks in the world, where you can spend a night inside the core forest on a Machaan, an elevated wooden structure built on a treetop.

A tourist can choose to pay a certain amount to the forest department and spend an entire night, (typically during the full moon on Buddha Pournima), keeping a count of the animals that visit waterholes close by.

Its a recreational activity that also gives a common tourist a great chance at experiencing the forest firsthand. They are accompanied at all times, by a trained forest guard, to minimize the risk.

In 2017, during one such machaan census, a 46-year old man named Mangal Chaudhary, was seated on a machaan in the Pandharpauni area. Chaudhary, had the urge to attend to nature’s call. But he was asked to control it until daylight.

 

At around 6 am, he couldnt control the urge any longer and he got down from the machaan and is said to have ‘squatted’ in the bush nearby to relieve himself.

Unknown to him, Matkasur was possibly resting in the bushes. Alarmed by the sudden movement and the sight of a ‘squatting’ human, the tiger charged and killed the man instantly. But the body was not eaten.

The Tiger left the body and went away. This created a huge stir in the wildlife community for two reasons.

1. The Machaan census activity was under the spotlight for its obvious safety concerns.
2. One of the prime male tigers of the park, had just killed a human being and was at risk of being labelled a maneater.

The NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority’s) protocols suggest that unless a tiger has made three human kills, they cannot be termed a repeat offender and thus, a maneater.

But tigers in other parks have been swiftly captured and sent to zoos, to spend the rest of their lives in captivity, even with one kill attributed to them.

Would Matkasur meet the same fate?

The Tiger was observed closely for months post the incident, especially when he was close to humans or in human proximity. Thankfully, no other untoward incident occurred after that. The maneater controversy fizzled away with time.

The Arrival of New Challengers in Matkasur’s Turf

A Tiger’s life is never one of peace they say. There’s always a new challenger on the horizon looking to dethrone, a seemingly invincible king.

Many a powerful tiger has lost his kingdom, to new and inexperienced young tigers. Call it the exuberance of youth, or the wear and tear, of leading a solitary life in the forest, the youngsters always seem to have the upper hand.

Just when things seemed to have settled down in the heartland of Tadoba, along came two young males who had migrated from the Kolsa (currently Pangdi) zone of the park – Rudra and Tala.

Tala, a formidable male tiger himself, had earlier tried to dethrone Bajrang, a massive male tiger who had dethroned the famous Scarface (Wagdoh) male tiger to establish his dominion over the southern part of Tadoba, including Junona buffer and even parts of Kolara.

But Bajrang was too powerful and experienced for the young Tala, who after a failed attempt, made his way towards the northern part of Tadoba, Matkasur’s domain.

These two males were not the only challengers though. Matkasur’s son, Chhota Matka, was also on the prowl to establish his own turf.

In fact, Rudra and Tala were avoiding direct conflicts with Matkasur, but Chhota Matka had no qualms about going up against his father.

It was around this time, that Matkasur’s sightings to tourists reduced greatly. Everytime he was spotted, he would be nursing a new injury. There were three young males vying for his territory now. His son and two challengers.

One day, Matkasur and Chhota Matka had a clash in front of several tourist vehicles. It seemed that Chhota Matka had managed to brutally injure the hulk of a tiger. But as always, Matkasur nursed himself back to health and Chhota Matka gave up his quest for the territory and moved out.

The End of the Reign

In the end of 2019, Tala was seen mating with Maya. A lot of observers felt that this was a mock mating because Matkasur had not yet been ousted from the area. Or was he?

Sightings had been scarce. Every now and then, someone would spot him with a limp. The age was more evident now than ever. Time had not been kind to the king.

Then in 2020, the new rules became more evident. Maya was spotted with four cubs much to the delight of tourists. There lay a male tiger at some distance, clearly indicating that the cubs were his. But to everyone’s dismay, it wasnt Matkasur.

It was Tala.

The new rules had been established. The kingdom was now Tala’s. But where was Matkasur? Was he dead? That was the question on everyone’s mind.

Life in the Buffer Zones of Tadoba

In 2020, Matksur was finally spotted by a photographer in the Belara Buffer Zone area, lying in a pond on a hot summer afternoon.

He had recently made a cattle kill close by. This is typical for most tigers who are ousted from the prime hinterland of Tadoba. The park has such amazing biodiversity in the buffer forests, that these tigers manage to carve out territories and actually thrive, despite their proximity to humans.

Wagdoh, one of the biggest male tigers in the wild, actually survived for 5-6 years in the buffer zones, commanding a massive area and siring cubs with 6-7 females.

Seeing Matkasur in the buffer was heartening for many. The big king had survived the battle after all. But he looked forlorn, a pale shadow of his former powerful self.

Matkasur mated with Junabai (T-45) and sired four cubs, who were a common sight in the Madnapur, Belara buffer zones of Tadoba. But as luck would have had it, Tala reached the area too.

The Final Sightings of Matkasur

There are conflicting reports on when Matkasur was spotted at last. Some photographers claim to have seen him as recently as 2022, near Belara buffer zone.

There are documented sightings and videos which show that he was alive in 2022. But after that, the sightings stopped entirely.

It would be impossible to say whether Matkasur is dead or just moved out to establish his turf elsewhere. He wasn’t in his prime after all. So it wouldn’t be surprising if he just made way for a younger male, as is the norm of nature.

Even Wagdoh male was presumed dead multiple times. But after a long gap, would appear hale and hearty in a passing glimpse. So, we are hopeful of spotting the mighty Matkasur in a photograph someday.

Matkasur Tiger in Images: Capturing the Majestic Beauty

There are probably thousands of images of Matkasur out there. He was one of the most photographed tigers in the wild, known for his aggressive stance and his towering frame.

If you observe him closely, you will notice that he lacks the ‘diamond mark’ near his belly, which is a signature on all Tadoba Male tigers.

Here are some of the images of Matkasur that we thought are worth a share.

Top 3 Matkasur Tiger Images

Image	Description
	A close-up shot capturing the intense gaze of Matkasur, showcasing his powerful presence in Tadoba National Park. (Image Courtesy: Raaj Kkrishnani)
	An image of Matkasur in mid-roar, displaying his dominant behavior and highlighting his distinctive facial markings. (Image Courtesy: Raaj Kkrishnani)
	Chhota Matka – The Challenger who fought his father

These captivating images provide a glimpse into the world of Matkasur, allowing viewers to witness his grandeur and understand the significance of tiger conservation. Through these visual representations, individuals are encouraged to support efforts aimed at protecting these magnificent creatures and preserving their natural habitat in Tadoba National Park.

Closing Notes: A Roar That Echoes Forever – Matkasur’s Legacy in Tadoba

Matkasur may no longer prowl the forests of Tadoba, but let’s be real—his spirit still owns the place. This legendary tiger wasn’t just another big cat; he was the king, the ruler who turned every safari into an unforgettable adventure.

Even in his absence, his legacy continues to thrive, weaving itself into the very fabric of Tadoba’s wilderness. His tales—of fierce battles, majestic strolls, and quiet moments by the waterholes—linger in the minds of those lucky enough to see him.

And for the rest of us? Well, his story serves as a reminder of the magic that still exists in the wild if you’re willing to go out and find it.

So, why not plan your trip? Sure, Matkasur has passed the torch, but the forests he ruled are as alive as ever. Who knows? You might just spot a descendant carrying that same regal swagger—or hear the distant echoes of his legendary roar reminding us why these striped kings need our protection now more than ever.

Tadoba awaits, and trust me, it’s a chapter of the wild you’ll want to write into your own story.

FAQ

Who is Matkasur Tiger and where was he found?

Matkasur Tiger was one of the dominant tigers in the Tadoba National Park in India. He was once known as the king of Tadoba due to his massive frame and fierce demeanour. 

How did Matkasur Tiger get his name?

Matkasur got his name from the Matkasur waterhole in the Kolara zone where he was born.

What is Matkasur Tiger’s behavior like?

Matkasur was known for his strong and brave behavior. He was often seen with his mate, Maya, and their cubs.

Who is Maya and what is her role in Tadoba National Park?

Maya was a highly respected tigress and the queen of Tadoba. She was considered the star attraction of Tadoba for almost a decade, when she would boldly stroll close to safari vehicles with her new born cubs, unlike other tigresses, who are generally shy. Maya is now considered an iconic tigress for TATR. 

How did Waghdoh or Scarface contribute to the tiger population in Tadoba National Park?

Waghdoh, also known as Scarface, was the dominant tiger in the south prime area of the park. He played a significant role in the growth of the tiger population and was the father of the famous Telia sisters.

What could visitors expect during Matkasur Tiger sighting?

A Matkasur Tiger sighting was highly sought after by visitors to Tadoba National Park. Visitors would witness his bold and fearless behavior, especially in his territory, and see him with his mate, Maya, and their cubs. It was always a grand show with photographers running out of space on their memory cards. 

What are some characteristics of Matkasur?

Matkasur was often called the Gentle Giant. Because despite his massive frame, he was quite friendly around tourist gypsys without the slightest hint of aggression. 

Are there any images of Matkasur Tiger available for viewing?

Yes, there are images capturing the majestic beauty of Matkasur Tiger. These images showcase their distinct markings, powerful physique, and captivating presence. We have added a few on this article. But there are thousands of better Matkasur tiger photos out there.